Welcome to the Boy Scouts of America, we are so glad to have you as a part of the Scouting family! 

What is the BSA?

For more than a century, Scouting has stood for character and leadership – attributes that are forged through experiences in service, adventure and skill-building. Scouting teaches real-life skills. Helping young people become future leaders.

In Scouting, boys and girls start with their best right now selves and grow into their very best future selves. It’s fun, hands-on learning and achievement that puts kids in the middle of the action and prepares them for today – and for life.

About the Great Rivers Council

Great Rivers Council, BSA guides girls and boys in 33 counties of central and northeast Missouri. We offer an unparalleled program that teaches leadership and citizenship through fun and exciting adventures for the whole family.

Contributing to the Boy Scouts of America creates opportunities for youth to gain memorable experiences and become instilled with values, principles, and skills that will help them develop into the future leaders of our nation. 

Prepared. For Life.

This is our promise to families. It resides with every Scout who ever overcame one of life’s challenges. It is the value of being prepared — the core of Scouting and a what inspires a lifetime of character, leadership and service.

, Great Rivers CouncilScout Shop

The Scout Shop is your official source for Scout uniforms, outdoor gear, uniforms, badges, craft items, and more. Our staff has the benefit of knowing many leaders in the council. Have a program question? There’s a good chance you can find the answer out at the Scout Shop. The Scout Shop is in the Scouting Adventure Center, located off I-70 at Exit 121 in Columbia.

If you have any concerns or questions please contact the store staff by email: GreatRivers.ScoutShop@scouting.org or phone us at 573-449-2561 Ext. 204.

Youth Protection

, Great Rivers CouncilThe safety and protection of children is the most important priority of the Boy Scouts of America.

True youth protection can be achieved only through the focused commitment of everyone in Scouting. It is the mission of Youth Protection volunteers and professionals to work within the Boy Scouts of America to maintain a culture of Youth Protection awareness and safety at the national, regional, area, council, district, and unit levels.

Guide to Safe Scouting

, Great Rivers Council

All participants in official Scouting activities should become familiar with the Guide to Safe Scouting, applicable program literature or manuals, and be aware of state or local government regulations that supersede Boy Scouts of America practices, policies, and guidelines. The Guide to Safe Scouting is an overview of Scouting policies and procedures gleaned from a variety of sources. For some items, the policy statements are complete. Unit leaders are expected to review the additional reference material cited prior to conducting such activities.

Stay Informed

Scout Life 

Scout Life first cover

Scout Life is one of the top youth magazines in the country, and its website is packed with fun and resources for youth, leaders and parents.

Scout Life is only $15 a year for Scouts, an amazing value with great benefits.

Subscribe to Scout Life

Scouting Magazine App

Scouting Magazine App

The digital magazine Scouting is provided free to all registered adult leaders, parents and any other interested adults. It contains articles not only about Scouting but also about youth development and parenting.

Download on the App Store or Google Play.

Scouting magazine’s website is chock full of information and resources for leaders and parents.

GRC Newsletter, Great Rivers Council

Sign up to stay in touch with the Great Rivers Council.

Learn More About Cub Scouts...

You Are Not Alone!

Your den is in a pack that belongs to an organization chartered (a chartered organization) by the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) to operate a Scouting unit. The chartered organization approves leadership, helps secure a meeting place, and makes sure that the pack works within the guidelines and policies of their organization as well as those of the BSA.

Your pack is a member of a service area, a geographic area of the BSA local council that helps support the pack in providing a successful and high-quality program. An employee of the local council, a unit serving executive, is assigned to assist the packs in your area.

Your district also has a volunteer team called the commissioner staff. They are a service team that checks on the program health of your pack, and they are a communication link
between your pack and the local council. A commissioner is assigned specifically to assist your unit.

Your district is one of several in the Great Rivers Council. The team at the Great Rivers Council is here to assist you.

Den Leader Overview

Welcome to your new adventure! Your time volunteering in Cub Scouting will be rewarding and fun, and the information here will help you get off to the right start. With the proper training, resources, and enthusiasm, you have the ability to make a positive difference in the lives of Cub Scouts.

, Great Rivers CouncilDen Leader Tips and Tricks Videos

Tips and tricks videos for Den Leaders, locally created content to help inspire, including resources in Spanish, and hack videos for ScoutBook’s Den Leader Experience.  A growing number of videos to help support Den Leaders. 

ScoutBook

Once you are a registered Den Leader, ScoutBook is your online resource to assist you with tracking and reporting awards for the youth in your den.  In addition, it provides the ability to set up calendars and reminders to parents for events and activities.

ScoutBook now features special Den Leader experience that will help you plan and prepare for den meetings.  Details on what to do before, during, and after meeting along with the resources you need to deliver the program right at your fingertips. 

ScoutBook is free for everyone registered in Scouting.  Once you are registered, you or another leader can set up who is in your den and off you go!

scoutbook app

Training -Leadership Support

All adult leaders are first required to take Youth Protection Training.  When that is completed, training for each position in Cub Scouting is available on-line.  There are additional training courses available in your local area.  Visit www.scouting.org/training/ for more details.

Three Steps to Becoming a Trained Leader

STEP ONE: SET UP A MY.SCOUTING ACCOUNT

Visit My.Scouting  and create an account.  Once you have an account you can access online training.

STEP TWO: TAKE YOUTH PROTECTION TRAINING

The Boy Scouts of America places the greatest importance on creating the most secure environment possible for our youth members.

BSA Youth Protection

STEP THREE: POSITION SPECIFIC TRAINING

The BSA Learning Center is at My.Scouting.  Select your position and a learning plan will be created for you.  The plan includes modules that are designed to allow you to complete them at your own pace.